Author Topic: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.  (Read 63863 times)

Samuel D

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #100 on: 07 November, 2017, 10:12:48 pm »
Excellent photographs, Smeth. This ride looks wonderful (I say from my armchair).

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #101 on: 27 November, 2017, 05:17:14 pm »
Well, I've got a bike that can take 40c tyes (and full mudguards!) so seems rude not to sign up  :thumbsup:

vistaed

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Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #102 on: 04 February, 2018, 08:36:49 pm »
Just to note that with over 100 entrants we have decided to close the fast 400km http://tinat.cymru/saturday-rides/400km-br/. We are now closed to new entrants on that ride. The 600km is hot on it's heels.
after hardship comes ease -
 www.strava.com/athletes/188220

SoreTween

  • Most of me survived the Pennine Bridleway.
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #103 on: 06 February, 2018, 07:25:53 pm »
Would it be rude to ask roughly where the info controls are on the 300 BR/BP route?   Logically one would be between the reservoirs and one at the NW tip?   Playing with google walking another seems to be needed at Dolgellau and one just outside Newtown too, that's one too many.

Mr Bond (NOTP) & I are entered in the BP.  For a while Mr B was suggesting we have a crack at BR pace anyway, I'm sure that would result in nasty blowup for me at least.  Therefore if we are 'only' interested in BP pace Mr B is investigating what extra off road he can find.  He's quite serious.  He's getting an N+1 built.  Worst of all he knows how to structure a training program, I merely ride as much as I can in hope.  I'm concerned.

Thanks.
2023 targets: Survive. Maybe.
There is only one infinite resource in this universe; human stupidity.

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #104 on: 06 February, 2018, 10:58:25 pm »
Just to note that with over 100 entrants we have decided to close the fast 400km http://tinat.cymru/saturday-rides/400km-br/. We are now closed to new entrants on that ride. The 600km is hot on it's heels.

Bother, was just getting up the nerve for it! 600 a bit too much... ah well, slow 400 I guess, no points...

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #105 on: 08 February, 2018, 10:59:56 am »
....... Playing with google walking another seems to be needed at Dolgellau ......

Why's that?

- - - - - - ' - ' ' - - - - ' " " " - "'-  - - - -

The event's notes do state "A ride designed to challenge the rider. The event will require the rider to plan for some stages with rough lanes, and at times narrow lanes."

I will grant you, the generic generated system notes do not specify whether there might be "checkpoints", only controls and infos are stated.

A large part of the challenge is getting a map in front of you on the kitchen table, look where the controls are. The map on the event page shows a few more points that corrospondi to infos or check points.  Look on your map where the route goes, and consider utilising any resource that is on or near to the route.

I will be perfectly honest, it has surprised me that there has been such little conversation both on this  and other forum or social media about how one might tackle any of these rides. Perhaps everyone has their plan worked-out and keeping it to themselves. Or the more prevalent practice of not always doing useful research upfront.


I fully get that some might not like certain social media. I joined one group as it was the most effective way to engage with cyclists - not because I particularly like the media platform. These rides have a social media site, if you feel ill at ease asking or raising queries on a public forum such as this, why not raise them on the Social media site. Just follow the links from any event page via the dedicated website.

On the articular event mentioned, there are at least three fair-sized towns that one could realisticly get food etc. And any ammount of commercial establishments along the rpute that one could stop for a meal or drink.




where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Alex B

  • Headwind specialist
    • Where is there an end of it?
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #106 on: 08 February, 2018, 08:00:10 pm »
I will be perfectly honest, it has surprised me that there has been such little conversation both on this  and other forum or social media about how one might tackle any of these rides.

Challenge accepted.

For me this ride (400km BR) is probably at the edge of my abilities - *if* I keep training and dieting until the start line. I live in Cambridge see: flatlander.

I've a cycling weekend in the Yorkshire Dales and a LEJOG planned in the months before TINAT. This should get some hillage in my legs.

I'm basing my TINAT plan around the 24hr McDonald's in Newton. I'm thinking get there for 4am, and away by 4.30am leaving ~ 5.5 hours for the 90km crawl to the arrivée on relatively benign (i.e. BCM-like) roads.

So that's 22 hrs to cover the first ~315km to Newton.

Normally a cinch, but with the hellacious climbing (inc. Devil's Staircase & Bwlch y Groes) I reckon this'll be a sufferfest.

Assuming I'll get no sleep.

I notice there's a fish & chip shop in Tywin for supper, but a nasty climb afterwards. So get the food and carry it up the hill to eat?

My bike will take 35mm tyres - so I'll try them. I'm used to cycling on unpaved tracks but have no MTB experience. Hoping this'll be enough.

That's as far as I've got in planning so far. Looking forward to the challenge :-)

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #107 on: 08 February, 2018, 08:11:26 pm »
I think Facebook is about the worst communication website I have ever used. I reluctantly engage with it, as many clubs/activities/events don't provide information any other way. The "social media site" dedicated to TINAT has much more bearable content than most; so far ...  :P

I reckon the riders doing TINAT are from a different demographic to the typical "social media" cyclist.

Add in that it's still 4 months to go; riders will tend to be more experienced than - say - the average LEL entrant;  and I'm not surprised there is so little traffic.

(then there is the tendency to do one's research at the last minute ... which is an unvirtuous circle, as other riders tend to post so much information late in the day ....and the fact that certain audax organisers [in my experience of last 2-3 years] leave finalising their event details to the week before. Or the pre-ride briefing ... ;)  )
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

SoreTween

  • Most of me survived the Pennine Bridleway.
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #108 on: 08 February, 2018, 08:42:35 pm »
Cheers Mark, I think that answers my question.

Thanks too Alex, Newtown McDump added to my notes (though hoping not to need it).  Highly unlikely we'll be in the area early enough to use the Fish & Chips in Tywyn but should be able to make the kebab/pizza shop in Dolgellau if we don't take our main break before there.

And that is the next question to hammer out with Mr B, where to catch some Zzzzz?  I would favour Dolgellau were it not for the unflatness of the Peniarth - Dol stage.  Should we rest before that?  Decisions decisions.
2023 targets: Survive. Maybe.
There is only one infinite resource in this universe; human stupidity.

Alex B

  • Headwind specialist
    • Where is there an end of it?
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #109 on: 08 February, 2018, 09:00:48 pm »
Highly unlikely we'll be in the area early enough to use the Fish & Chips in Tywyn

For the 400, Tywin should be at ~190km. So assuming it takes 13.5 hrs to get there arrival is at 19:30 - supper time!


Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #110 on: 08 February, 2018, 09:26:01 pm »
Alex, you say:
Quote
a LEJOG planned in the months before TINAT

I am trying to decide between a May or June LeJog (airline tickets depending) and I would be interested in your thoughts concerning the likely weather, etc. of a May ride. I recognise no one can predict the weather for longer than for tomorrow, but your insight would be useful. Thanks.

Alex B

  • Headwind specialist
    • Where is there an end of it?
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #111 on: 08 February, 2018, 09:38:25 pm »
I am trying to decide between a May or June LeJog (airline tickets depending) and I would be interested in your thoughts concerning the likely weather, etc. of a May ride.

Well you just never know. May should be warm enough during the day time, but there's always a risk of strong winds and/or rain. But the same's true of June. Early May should be midge-less in Scotland. Generally my assumption for UK "summer" is to expect some combination of being baked, soaked, chilled and blown about. Prepare accordingly.

Then there's half-term/holiday considerations. We found a lot of accommodation en-route already booked (for May) even in January!

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #112 on: 08 February, 2018, 09:54:11 pm »
Just to note that with over 100 entrants we have decided to close the fast 400km http://tinat.cymru/saturday-rides/400km-br/. We are now closed to new entrants on that ride. The 600km is hot on it's heels.

I may add that the 400 BP is also close to full.

So realisticly both 400BP,  and along with the 600 will more than likely close in the near future.

But for those wanting the full experience might like to consider the possibility of still getting-in a 500k or 400k by riding one of the 300BR routes on the Saturday, then a 200k or 100k on the Sunday.

The 500k option has already struck a chord with a coue of riders, they realise that they get a 300 in-the-bag on Saturday, get 5 or 6 hours sleep/rest before tackling a 200 on Sunday.

Of course there's an effective 400 by riding a 200k on Saturday and anotheron Sunday. Again with getti g a nigjt sleep in between rides.

Just something the undecided might like to consider.
where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #113 on: 08 February, 2018, 10:45:08 pm »
The map on the kitchen table thing I tend to do nearer the time along with how I am actually going to ride the event, quite a bit of that is weather dependant i'll work that out a lot closer to D-Day.

Most of the paved roads I have done before the only real unknowns are the off road sections and how much they are likely to impact the average speed allowing me sleep (If I require it) or time to soak in the scenery (more likely) I will most likely take a day off work and go and ride some of them beforehand to get a good picture in my mind.

I bought a gravel bike for this event, well ok I used this event as an justification to buy a gravel bike and have really been impressed riding wider tyres on broken surfaced lanes the difference between something running 35mm+ and a carbon road bike on 25's on a gravelly lane is stark! I have been pleasantly surprised how modern gravel type tyres roll on pavement despite more tread, I can't wait to see what is in store.

This may sound selfish, as time is likely to be tighter than on a 'normal' 400 I plan to ride alone so that I am not held up or I m not holding someone else up, faffage is kept to a minimum and I can play the ride by ear.

 

Eddington Number 75

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #114 on: 09 February, 2018, 11:28:17 am »
Perhaps everyone has their plan worked-out and keeping it to themselves.

Aerobars fitted, skinsuit ordered, but I admit I've been tardy about checking how many pubs are on the route.

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #115 on: 09 February, 2018, 11:43:53 am »
Perhaps everyone has their plan worked-out and keeping it to themselves.

Aerobars fitted, skinsuit ordered, but I admit I've been tardy about checking how many pubs are on the route.

I seem to recall a 6'3" teapot outside kings YHA one may morning.
where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #116 on: 10 February, 2018, 02:38:13 pm »
Does the collective have tyre recommendations?

My bike will happily take 40C tubeless. Schwalbe G-One Bites might be nice but they are £50 each (!) not including the cost of setting them up.

JamesBradbury

  • The before-ride picture is even worse
    • James Thinks
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #117 on: 10 February, 2018, 04:37:26 pm »
My rather unglamorous tyre choice will probably be 32mm schwalbe green guards because they're tougher than my usual road tyre, reliable, faster than the M+, really cheap and about the fattest thing I can fit in my bike.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk


SoreTween

  • Most of me survived the Pennine Bridleway.
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #118 on: 10 February, 2018, 05:17:32 pm »
My bike came with the original G-One on them so a fresh pair of G-One Allround (40-622) will go on in time for Moor Gravel Forever in April.   They do slip on wet surfaces off road but I've never felt as if they are unwarranted in doing so, what doesn't slip on wet chalk or spin on 4" deep mud?

I haven't gone tubeless with the first set but have collected most of the required items to do so, and really must, with the second.
2023 targets: Survive. Maybe.
There is only one infinite resource in this universe; human stupidity.

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #119 on: 10 February, 2018, 05:55:55 pm »
Most of the mileage is on road, and I'm yet to be convinced the off-road sections are particularly gnarly, so my inclination is to use my normal 23s to prove some sort of point.

(However, my audax bike is built around a CX frame, and I have a variety of CX tyres on the shelf, so sense may prevail)

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
    • Didcot Audaxes
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #120 on: 10 February, 2018, 07:16:46 pm »
I'm guessing there will be a rough split between those out for the scenery, and those out for a time*. Or generally, those on the BPs, and those on the BRs!

I've done a few miles recently on gnarlier surfaces with 25mm tyres mid-audax; it's tended to be a fun challenge, but I spend far too long staring at the ground 10' ahead, and not enough at the nice views around me. I don't have great bike-handling skills, nor much off-roading experience (and I'm old enough to know that neither of these will change much). Plus it's more relaxing the less you are worrying about p******es.

As a 400BP rider, I don't expect to be huuugely time-pressed [famous last words]; the focus will be getting round in maximum comfort with minimum disasters. I'll also be testing equipment for a much more gravelly Euro adventure later in the year; so it's very likely I'll go for something more substantial than 23mm. Given the current (still quite new to me) bike, will probably go for minimal tread, 32mm-37mm. I'm still new to this "fat tyre" world!



*which may includes those just desperate to complete inside the time limit!
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #121 on: 10 February, 2018, 07:46:47 pm »
I had a couple of  schwalbe CX Comp tyres on this bike before, and they were perfectly happy hammering along at 30kph or off road. Plus they were £13 each...

The one thing they couldn't handle was wet grass over mud. Is that too much to expect from any tyre?

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #122 on: 10 February, 2018, 08:37:48 pm »
I've done a few miles recently on gnarlier surfaces with 25mm tyres mid-audax; it's tended to be a fun challenge, but I spend far too long staring at the ground 10' ahead, and not enough at the nice views around me. I don't have great bike-handling skills, nor much off-roading experience (and I'm old enough to know that neither of these will change much). Plus it's more relaxing the less you are worrying about p******es.

I've heard this suggestion that taking road tyres off road leads to punctures various times but I've never heard an explanation of the supposed mechanism. Is it pinch flats? Flints? Something else?

JamesBradbury

  • The before-ride picture is even worse
    • James Thinks
Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #123 on: 10 February, 2018, 08:48:32 pm »
Presumably there's a lot more puncture - inducing crud off road, thorns, flints, etc. To probably less broken glass tho.

I also did in the sidewall of some nice Panaracers on the tandem when going off road. As my wife will tell you I had a serious sense of humour failure. Road tyres generally don't need so much side wall protection.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Re: This is not a tour. Welsh rides in the spirit of Mike Hall - 2/3rd June 2018.
« Reply #124 on: 11 February, 2018, 12:05:19 am »
I'm in the process of converting my 1980's Raleigh Europa to a "go anywhere" bike that I might use for the TINAT 600km. It has an old TA Cyclotouriste chainset that did have a single 52 ring fitted for racing, but now has a more suitable 44/27 double. It currently has a 14-28 screw on 6 speed freewheel, but I hope to be able to fit a newer rear wheel with an 8 speed cassette that will give a higher top gear. The frame was made for 27 inch wheels and now has 700c wheels fitted so there is plenty of room for bigger tyres. I've just ordered a pair of 700 x 35c Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres for it.
My choice of bike will ultimately depend on the weather forecast at the time. If it's going to be good weather, I might just ride my usual Specialized Roubaix with 25mm Durano tyres and if it's horrendous I could ride my old Giant Iguana mountain bike with 26 x 1.75 semi slicks.